Can Dry Eyes Cause Headaches?
The discomfort and eye strain from dry eye syndrome can lead to headaches. […]
Give Your Child the Gift of Clear Vision
We understand how crucial your child’s eye health is to their success and happiness. Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common refractive error that makes distant objects appear blurry while nearby objects remain clear.
This condition affects nearly 30% of Canadians and often develops during childhood, typically worsening throughout school-age years before stabilizing around age 20.
While myopia cannot be reversed, controlling its progression early can help reduce the risks associated with high myopia, such as macular degeneration, retinal detachment, cataracts, and glaucoma.
Let our team help your child see more clearly and protect their vision for the long term. Contact us to schedule your child’s next appointment today.
Book Appointment
Understanding How Myopia Develops
Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it. Though the exact causes of myopia are not fully understood, research highlights several contributing factors:
- Genetic predisposition
- Increased near work, such as reading or screen time
- Reduced time spent outdoors
- Environmental factors, particularly in urban settings
Taking steps early can make a world of difference for your child’s visual health. customized exam schedule tailored to your needs.
Axial Length Measurement and Corneal Topography
At our Wainwright location, we use the MYAH instrument to track and measure your child’s eye growth accurately. This device combines corneal topography and axial length measurement to monitor myopia progression over time.
Axial length measurement is a key indicator in understanding how your child’s eye is growing. By accurately measuring the length of the eye, we can detect early signs of myopia progression and assess the effectiveness of myopia control treatments.
Corneal topography provides a detailed map of the cornea’s shape and curvature, which helps us customize treatments and provide the best fit for contact lenses or eyeglasses. Together, these technologies allow us to take a proactive approach to managing myopia, helping to slow its progression and reduce the risk of future eye health issues.
What Is Myopia Control?
Myopia is generally corrected with glasses or contact lenses, but to prevent this vision problem from developing into high myopia, we recommend controlling its progression during early childhood. This is called myopia control.
Myopia control encompasses several methods that can slow or even stop myopia in growing eyes. Our team works with you and your child to find the right myopia control method for their eyes and needs.
MiSight 1 day contact lenses are proven to slow myopia progression while correcting vision in children as young as 8. They’re built on the mechanism of myopic defocus to encourage the eyes to slow their growth.
These contact lenses are single-use (discarded at the end of the day), easy to fit, comfortable, and provide freedom from wearing glasses.
Benefits include:
- Clear vision without glasses
- Convenient single-use wear
- Comfortable, breathable material
- Effective control backed by years of research
Multifocal contact lenses, including multifocal toric designs for children with astigmatism, use specialized optical zones that provide clear vision while helping reduce myopia progression.
These lenses can be a flexible option for active children who prefer contact lenses over glasses.
MiYOSMART eyeglass lenses are specialty myopia control lenses manufactured by Hoya. The technology focuses on peripheral defocus, a theory stating that blurring side vision helps slow myopia.
MiYOSMART lenses have been proven to reduce myopia growth by an average of 60%. They can be fitted for children of all ages and are designed specifically for a child’s lifestyle. They’re impact-resistant, thin and light, and provide UV protection.
Orthokeratology, also known as ortho-k, uses rigid gas-permeable contact lenses that are worn overnight to mould a person’s cornea and help reduce their dependence on glasses and contact lenses throughout the day.
Ortho-k lenses can be a great option for children managing mild to moderate myopia. These lenses work by flattening the cornea, reducing the eye’s refractive power, and slowing myopia progression.
Atropine eye drops are used to dilate your pupils during a comprehensive eye exam. They relax the muscles in your pupils so they don’t respond to light. But these drops have also been shown to effectively slow myopia progression in children when used in low doses before bed.
How these drops work for myopia is complex, but experts think they bind to growth receptors in the eyes and prevent the eyes from growing too long.
Because every child’s eyes respond differently, our optometrists may recommend combining treatments, such as atropine eye drops with MiSight lenses or ortho-k therapy, for optimal results.
Combination therapy can address multiple mechanisms of myopia progression and enhance the overall outcome of care.
We offer a complete Myopia Management Program that includes:
- A detailed baseline exam and axial length measurements
- Regular follow-up visits to monitor changes
- Treatment adjustments as needed to maintain control
- Guidance for parents on supporting healthy visual habits at home
Ask our team about enrolling your child in our Myopia Management Program during your next visit.
Take Our Myopia Control Risk Quiz
Not sure if your child is at risk for myopia? Start by taking our myopia control risk quiz! This simple quiz can help identify potential risk factors and guide you toward the next steps in protecting your child’s vision.
Addressing Myopia Early
Our team is committed to providing your family with the care they deserve. If your child has been diagnosed with myopia or you suspect they’re struggling with distance vision, we are here to help.
Contact us today to learn more about our myopia control program or schedule an appointment. Let us help your child see the world more clearly, now and in the future!
Book AppointmentCome Visit Our Locations
Wainwright
We serve patients of all ages from Wainwright, Viking, Provost, Lloydminster, Macklin, and the surrounding areas.
Our Address
- 2802 15th Ave, Unit 2
- Wainwright, AB T9W 0A4
Contact Us
- Phone: 587-606-0270
- Fax: 780-842-3443
- Email: [email protected]
Our Hours
Monday:
9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday:
8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday:
8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday:
8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday:
8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday:
Closed
Sunday:
Closed
Vermilion
We serve patients of all ages from Kitscoty, Mannville, Elk Point, Dewberry, and the surrounding areas.
Our Address
- 5010 50 Street
- Vermilion, AB T9X 1M5
Contact Us
- Phone: 587-606-0394
- Fax: 780-853-6504
- Email: [email protected]
Our Hours
Monday:
9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday:
Closed
Sunday:
Closed
Blog
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For most people, eye fatigue is temporary and can resolve within an hour after resting your eyes, but persistent discomfort can last for days if the underlying cause isn’t addressed. […]
When Should You Wear Scleral Contact Lens?
Scleral lenses are recommended when traditional contact lenses or glasses cannot provide comfortable, clear vision, often for people with irregular corneas, advanced dry eye, or other complex eye conditions.
[…]
What Is a Diabetic Eye Exam?
A diabetic eye exam is a screening that focuses on catching vision-threatening complications that might stem from diabetes before they permanently affect your sight.
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What Are Progressive Lenses?
Progressive lenses offer multiple prescription strengths in a single lens. This is helpful for people who need vision correction at multiple distances, allowing them to see well without the hassle of numerous pairs of glasses.
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Is There Vision Therapy for Children?
The good news is that there are vision therapy options for children that can help. […]
Can Dry Eye Cause Floaters?
The reality is that dry eye itself doesn’t directly cause floaters. Nonetheless, the 2 conditions can sometimes be interconnected due to underlying factors within the eye. […]
What Is IPL Eye Treatment for Dry Eyes?
Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment for dry eyes is a noninvasive therapy that uses light energy to help reduce inflammation, restore oil gland function, and improve tear quality.
IPL can offer longer-lasting relief by targeting a common root cause of symptoms, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).
[…]
Why Does My Eyelid Hurt When I Blink?
Plenty of common reasons for eyelid discomfort include eye strain, dryness, allergies, pink eye, and styes. Understanding the underlying differences in these causes can help you take steps to finding relief and recognize when to see an optometrist. […]
Can Myopia Be Reversed?
Myopia, often referred to as nearsightedness, is one of the most common refractive errors in the world today. It’s caused by an abnormal development in the eye’s shape. Unfortunately, once the eye physically changes, myopia cannot be reversed. Although, it’s important to note that some effective myopia control options are available to slow or stop […]
Excessive Blinking in Children: Could It Be a Vision Problem?
As parents, it’s natural to worry when you notice unusual behaviour in your child, such as excessive blinking. While it may be a temporary habit, excessive blinking in children could indicate a vision problem, such as dry eyes, eye allergies, or the need for vision correction. A children’s eye exam can assess your child’s vision […]
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How Long Do Contact Lenses Last?
Contact lenses offer a convenient and flexible alternative to glasses in vision correction. Understanding the lifespan of your contacts can help you avoid exposing your eyes to lenses that are past their prime—keeping your eyes from drying out, getting irritated, or developing an infection. However, the longevity of contact lenses depends on their type. Some […]
What’s the Difference Between a Contact Lens Prescription & Glasses Prescription
Glasses work with lenses hovering a few millimetres away from your eyes, but contact lenses sit directly on your corneas. This distance must be accounted for when determining the prescription. […]
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Does Wearing Glasses Make Your Eyes Worse?
In reality, wearing the appropriate prescription glasses can help alleviate strain and improve visual clarity, allowing you to see the world as it’s meant to be seen. […]
Amblyopia vs. Strabismus: What’s the Difference?
While they’re often mistaken or confused for each other, they differ in terms of how your eyes move. Amblyopia is commonly known as “lazy eye”, while strabismus refers to having “crossed eyes”. […]
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Can Dry Eye Cause Blurred Vision?
If you’ve been experiencing blurred vision and wondering if dry eye is to blame, you’re in the right place. Dry eye can cause blurred vision because of:
Tear film instability
Inflammation
Corneal Damage […]
When Is It Too Late to Treat Lazy Eye?
Lazy eye can be treated using a variety of tools like vision therapy, prism eyeglasses, and surgery. Treatment is most effective during childhood, but it’s never too late to treat lazy eye! […]
Why Is My Baby Rubbing Their Eyes?
Your baby could be rubbing their eyes for several reasons, including tiredness, allergies, irritated eyes, or infection. […]
Why Am I Waking Up with Dry Eyes? Causes & Treatments
The reasons behind morning eye dryness vary widely, including:
Insufficient sleep
Allergic reactions
Irritation from contact lenses
Dehydration
Certain medications
Environmental conditions
An underlying infection […]
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Does Alberta Health Care Cover Eye Exams?
Eye exams are only covered under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) for children 18 and under, adults over 65, and those who need an eye exam that is deemed “medically necessary” because of trauma or another medical condition. […]
What Is Binocular Vision Dysfunction & How Is It Tested?
During a comprehensive eye exam, an optometrist can check how well the eyes and brain work together. Then, they’ll likely recommend vision therapy—a treatment designed to retrain your visual system to work seamlessly! […]
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What Causes Astigmatism to Worsen?
While many people live with astigmatism without experiencing a significant change in their condition, some may notice a worsening of symptoms if left untreated, with age, and if accompanied by other eye conditions. […]
Do Eye Drops Expire?
Eye drops expire, but they’re generally safe to use until they reach their expiration date. They lose their effectiveness after they expire and may not be as helpful—there’s also a risk of infection. Stay safe and avoid using expired eye drops. […]
What Is Commonly Misdiagnosed as Pink Eye?
Red, watery, uncomfortable eyes—is it pink eye or something else? Many patients may wonder whether they should visit their optometrist right away for an exam or wait to see if their symptoms go away with time. While these symptoms can mean you have pink eye, they may also be something else—like dry eyes, keratitis, or glaucoma. […]
Myopia vs. Hyperopia: What’s the Difference?
Your eyes play an important role in your everyday life, but that doesn’t mean they’ll always be perfect. Refractive errors, like myopia and hyperopia, affect millions of people in Canada. While they share some symptoms and can both be treated with the help of your optometrist, there are some key differences between myopia and hyperopia. […]
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How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam?
Our eyes are remarkable organs that grant us the gift of sight, allowing us to perceive the world around us. However, like all aspects of our health, our eyes require regular care and attention. Eye exams are a fundamental component of maintaining your vision and identifying potential eye health issues, and should be a regular […]
What Are Bifocal Glasses and How Do They Work?
When it comes to correcting refractive errors, there are many solutions available. And when dealing with issues like presbyopia, a common solution is bifocal lenses. These lenses contain 2 different prescriptions within a single lens—one for near vision, and one for distance vision, allowing for convenient vision correction for common age-related refractive errors. What Are […]
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Can You Sleep with Contact Lenses?
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How to Tell If Your Sunglasses Are Polarized
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How to Properly Clean Your Glasses: A Step-by-Step Guide
For a quick glasses clean, most of us are guilty of a quick breath on the lenses and wiping them on our shirts. But this isn’t an ideal way to clean glasses and could damage your stylish prescription glasses. Rinsing with clean water, using a cleaning solution or a gentle soap, and wiping dry with […]
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Does Wearing Glasses Make Your Eyes Worse?
In reality, wearing the appropriate prescription glasses can help alleviate strain and improve visual clarity, allowing you to see the world as it’s meant to be seen. […]
Test 3
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Amblyopia vs. Strabismus: What’s the Difference?
While they’re often mistaken or confused for each other, they differ in terms of how your eyes move. Amblyopia is commonly known as “lazy eye”, while strabismus refers to having “crossed eyes” […]
Read More… from Amblyopia vs. Strabismus: What’s the Difference?
Test 2
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat […]
Can Dry Eye Cause Blurred Vision?
If you’ve been experiencing blurred vision and wondering if dry eye is to blame, you’re in the right place. Dry eye can cause blurred vision because of: Tear film instability Inflammation… […]
Test 1
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat […]
What to Expect at a Kids Eye Exam
As your child grows and develops, their eyes are constantly changing. This can make it difficult for them, or you, to realize they’re having a problem with their vision. With so many things in their early years depending on their vision, it’s vital that they attend regular eye exams to make sure their eyes are […]
Can I Wear Blue Light Glasses All the Time?
A friend may recommend blue light glasses if your eyes hurt when looking at digital screens like your computer. These glasses can help filter blue light for however long you wear them. If you’re a frequent screen user, you might wonder if you can wear these glasses all day. While you can wear your blue […]
What Is a Contact Lens Fitting?
Contact lenses are a great option for those who do not want to have corrective laser surgery or do not want to be constantly wearing glasses. As with any other corrective measures for your vision, an eye exam will determine what is needed to make you see clearly. Much like a regular eye exam, a […]
Where Should Glasses Sit On Your Nose?
Many people need glasses to help them see, but only some know how to find a properly fitted frame for their face. A good pair of glasses should rest comfortably on the bridge of your nose and not press against your brow or cheeks. However, they shouldn’t be so close to the tip of your […]
How Long Does an Eye Exam Take?
Planning for Your Eye Exam When it’s time for your routine eye appointment, or you’re ready to update your frames or lenses, how much time should you set aside? A complete eye exam usually takes less than an hour. However, the length of your exam depends on the tests performed and your individual eye care […]
Do Contact Lenses Expire?
It’s best to play it safe when it comes to your eyes. You should have your eyes examined regularly and take proper care of the prescription glasses or contact lenses that your eye doctor prescribes. If you’ve ever looked at the box your contacts came in, you might have noticed an expiration date on the […]
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About Us
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Our Locations
Wainwright
- 2802 15th Ave, Unit 2
- Wainwright, AB T9W 0A4
- Phone: 587-606-0270
- Fax: 780-842-3443
- Email: [email protected]
Vermilion
- 5010 50 Street
- Vermilion, AB T9X 1M5
- Phone: 587-606-0394
- Fax: 780-853-6504
- Email: [email protected]